Far too often we forget the power of the word. When that word is the Word
of God, it is even more powerful. We can change the whole world with
words, if we use them well. We can draw others to the Lord Jesus with
words, if they come from our heart. We can allow the Word of God to
transform us and thus show its power to others.

The Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading today, reflects on the word of
God. When God speaks, reality is created. When God sends His Word, the
world is redeemed and transformed. This happens, however, in the way which
was shown to us in the readings from last Sunday: in humility and
meekness, not in power and force.

The Gospel speaks also of the word and how it is like seed sown. When seed
is sown, it does not all develop equally. This is a reality that anyone
working with planting seeds knows as tough experience. Thus, those who
plant seeds want to prepare the ground so that seed will have its best
results. If you and I were to plant grass seed, we would not normally
choose to plant it in a pile of stones. Rather, we would prepare the
ground first so that the grass might grow and be beautiful or productive or
both.

Jesus is aware of this difference and uses the readily understandable image
to show why the word of God is not always effective. God always honors our
freedom. We are the ones who must prepare the ground to receive the seed,
the word of God.

The Letter to the Romans, from which comes the second reading today, gives
an image of Christians straining toward the Kingdom. These Christians are
ground fully prepared for the seed, the word of God. There is nothing
holding back their deepest desires for the Kingdom except the reality of
still living in this world.

Spiritually, today, we can begin to understand that we must desire the word
of God in ourselves. If we truly desire that word, then we will begin to
prepare our hearts and minds to receive the word. If we say that we desire
the word and do nothing, then we are simply deceiving ourselves. God's
word will come to us but unless we have prepared the found, it will fall on
the stones of our hearts.

My sisters and brothers, let us prepare our hearts and our minds so that
the seed, the word of God, may fall in us and bear immense fruit.